Honouring Toronto’s Past, Building Its Future: 2 Queen Street West Wins Heritage Toronto Award for Planning and Architecture

October 29, 2025

It was a fitting celebration, shared with our long-time client, Cadillac Fairview, and collaborators ERA Architects, whose vision for heritage stewardship continues to shape Toronto’s core. Zeidler has reimagined many of Cadillac Fairview’s most recognized properties. From the CF Toronto Eaton Centre Bridge to the Galleria Skylight Revitalization, the restoration of 2 Queen adds another layer to this legacy: a renewal of the 1896 Jamieson Building that honours its history while creating a future-ready urban landmark.

Before restoration, the façade had suffered from decades of unsympathetic modifications and material deterioration. Much of the original brick and stonework had been damaged or concealed behind metal panels. Previous sandblasting had further worn down masonry surfaces, and polymer-modified mortar patching on terracotta and sandstone elements had caused lasting damage. In response, the project team conducted a full survey of the envelope, carefully dismantled damaged sections, and restored or replicated deteriorated elements using suitable heritage materials and techniques.

Behind its elegant façade lies an extraordinary achievement of engineering and craftsmanship. A complex internal shoring system supported the delicate masonry walls. Simultaneously, the entire structure behind them was rebuilt. A surgical approach allowed work to continue without disrupting the busy intersection of Yonge and Queen. Each piece of masonry, including the hand-gilded “P. Jamieson” signage band, was carefully restored to match the building’s original materials and details.

The overall success of the project demonstrates a deep respect for the original building qualities and the skill of the tradespeople involved. By integrating historically accurate materials and techniques, the restoration of 2 Queen Street West not only restored a landmark façade to prominence but also reinforced the importance of traditional trades in preserving Toronto’s downtown core’s architectural heritage.

Today, the renewed seven-storey structure accommodates vibrant retail, workplace, and hospitality uses connected to the CF Toronto Eaton Centre. It is both a gateway and a gathering place, blending past and present through resilience, technical precision, and architectural integrity.

As the awards evening drew to a close, surrounded by friends and collaborators, we were reminded that heritage is not just about preservation; it’s about people. The stories we inherit, restore, and reimagine together continue to define the city we call home.

Project Team: Cadillac Fairview ,| Zeidler Architecture (Design and Executive Architect), ERA Architects (Heritage Architect), PCL Construction, Clifford Group, Walters Group, RJC Engineers, The HIDI Group, Toronto Art Restoration, Gabriel Mackinnon Lighting Design

Header image by Hammad Khalil, courtesy of Heritage Toronto.

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